Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sqauresoft Characters such as Cloud, Tifa, and Barret etc. I do however I own all of my own Characters Such as Gale Amber, Stratus Strife and so on.

I thought seen as the very kind Black Mage Dad read my story that I would post the next chapter. So thank you BMD and also thank you to VideliGohan
for reading. Hope you like the next chapter and keep reading. Read and
Review.

The Forgotten

Chapter 9: Vincent's Story

He opened his eyes slowly, his vision blurred at first, clearing after a few squints. He could clearly see Gale, Stratus and Lance looking over him as he pulled himself to a sitting position.

"Vincent? Are you okay?" asked Gale hurriedly, worried about the mans health. He rubbed his head, and then doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach. After a few seconds he lifted his head, looking at his worried comrades.

"I'll be fine." He replied coolly, despite his previous actions. Gale wasn't convinced and reached into her bag to find a potion as Stratus began to ask a question.

"What happened?" he asked, wanting to get to the bottom of the situation. Vincent tried to get to his feet but failed, doubling over in pain again, he felt Lance place a hand on his shoulder and push him back to the floor.

"Those things, they weren't very tough, but that man at the front, he." he trailed off, not wanting to admit his defeat. Gale then pulled out a potion and handed it to him. He took it and quickly drunk the liquid in one loud gulp. Then wiped his mouth and threw the bottle behind him, smashing it on the floor. He quickly stood; feeling refreshed from the potion and phoenix downs. He dusted his cape off and proceeded to walk out the makeshift door.

"Wait, you still haven't told us what happened here." Shouted Stratus, running after the vampire like man. Vincent stopped in a clearing, in front of one of the dead creatures, observing his surroundings and the battle damage.

"Do you wish to pry at the subject?" asked Vincent, not turning to face the teenager behind him, who had just been joined by Gale and Lance.

"Yes, I do, so tell me. What happened?" asked Stratus, getting annoyed at the proud man in front of him. Vincent shifted slightly, still not facing the teens. He hated the idea of admitting his defeat to these annoying teens that had awoken him, but he couldn't exactly keep it from him, then he heard it, the voice he didn't want to hear at this point, toying him for his weakness. Chaos. "You lost Vincent, and you have to face the shame of your defeat, tell them how weak you are, how pathetic you are." He cringed; he hated that damn demon, always toying with him, always reminding him of his sins. He hadn't heard the demon in what felt like an eternity, whilst he slept he could keep him away, locked behind the bars of his mind, but now that he was awake, Chaos was once again free. Free to pester the world with its demonic ways. He hated it.

"Hey, Vincent! Hello?" shouted Stratus, he hadn't moved in a good few minutes, what was he doing. Vincent was suddenly snapped out of his thought and turned to face the teen.

"Sorry. As I was saying, Lance and I had just opened fire on the fifty or so demons." started Vincent.

~ - - ~ (A/N: This indicated a flashback, just to let ya know.)

Vincent had just started to blast away at the demons before him, he fired of his rounds quickly, blowing away a few demons, and Lance did the same. Vincent soon found himself without bullets, after not being awake for what he thought to be at least twenty or so years, maybe more. He quickly ran out of bullets and slung his Death Penalty back into its holster. He ran forward, throwing out huge balls of fire from his mastered fire materia. Burning a few demons, then leaping into the air and dragging his claw through one or two.

He then quickly dodged an on coming sword and stumbled backwards, regaining his feet he lunged forward swiping at the sword-wielding demon. He cut it clean across the chest and it out a deep howl in pain. He did it again, causing it to howl louder, after a few more swipes it was torn to pieces on the floor. He was quickly knocked of guard by a tackle, it was that demon hound by the winged mans side, it clawed away at his chest, he raised his arm metallic arm, blocking an attack and flung it into the air. It landed on its feet and was about pounce again when the winged man himself stepped forward.

"Who are you?" yelled Vincent; he felt he knew this man from somewhere, but where?

"I could ask you the same question." Replied the red-eyed man, who grew every closer to Vincent.

"My name is Vincent Valentine. And you?" answered Vincent, wanting more than anything to know the identity of his opponent.

"You may call me Staan. Not that it maters what I'm called, you'll be dead soon enough." Replied Staan, stopping a few steps away from Vincent; he looked down at Vincent's arm, noticing its metallic. He then looked into Vincent red eyes, seemingly searching for something.

"Vincent, you're an odd one, aren't you? Not human?" asked Staan. Vincent smirked, and raised his clawed arm into the air, out in front of him.

"Let's finish this." He stated simply, diving forward with his claw. He missed the attack and swung another, Staan dodged again with grace and flipped into the air, his wings guiding him. He brought out his palms and a huge stream of green light flew towards Vincent, he tried to dodge but failed, falling to the floor in the midst of the huge battle. Vincent clutched his side, noticing the gash created by the strange magic used. Was it Ultima? He climbed to his feet holding his side with his metallic hand. Staan landed with his ever-graceful movement and smirked evilly at the wounded Vincent.

"Your weaker than I thought, pity." He began to laugh at Vincent, and Vincent knew that laugh. He heard it when Chaos would torment him inside his head. Vincent soon got angry and threw a punch at Staan, only for it to be blocked by Staan's right hand, just centimetres from his face. Staan gripped Vincent's hand and began to crush it, sending Vincent to his knees. Staan then swiftly kicked Vincent in the head, sending him flying to the ground, Vincent climbed to his feet, using a nearby wall to support his aching body.

"What. Are. You?" Vincent asked, finding it hard to breathe. Staan ignored his question and wrapped his tail around Vincent's neck, pulling Vincent's limp body to him. He proceeded to punch Vincent in the stomach until he had had enough, dropping Vincent to the floor, only to be kicked back into the wall, cracking it slightly with the immense force of the kick. Staan used his tail to lift Vincent head from its slouched position, looking Vincent in his eyes. Then he raised a hand and a huge flame engulfed Vincent, sending him crashing through the wall and to the ground amongst a pile of rubble. Staan smirked and then turned to face his troops, who lurked over Lances body.

"Let's go, Shinra aren't here." He ordered, bored with this place.

~ - - ~

".And that's that. I was beaten." Finished Vincent looking at his feet in shame. Stratus looked to the others, noticing how down Vincent was. They had the same look plastered on their faces too, both feeling sorry for the failed warrior.

"Don't worry Vincent." Said Gale, trying to make him feel better. Vincent looked up, his eyes a fiery red, he was very angry; you could see it just by looking into his deep red eyes.

"Why did you awaken me?" asked Vincent, wanting his question answered without further delay.

"We need your help in defeating Ranish, they rule the world, much like the Shinra I hear." Replied Gale, not wanting to anger him anymore than he already was.

"If I go with you, I will most likely meet this, Staan again, right?" asked Vincent.

"I presume so, you will have more of a chance going with us than staying here right?" replied Gale once again, using his hatred for this man to her advantage.

"Then I will go with you, I have something I'd like to show this Staan." Answered Vincent, with a voice that scared Gale, but she thought nothing of it. He is not evil after all, just very scary.

"So where now?" asked Lance, stepping forward. Gale looked at him. She really didn't know, where else could they find people to fight against Ranish? Who even dared to go against them in this world? Not many, that's for sure.

"How about we go back to my home, think about it their?" asked Stratus.

"Costa Del Sol? That's where you're from isn't it?" asked Lance, not certain he was right. He never really talked with Stratus; to be honest they didn't really get along.

"Yeah, that's right Firecracker." Replied Stratus, letting out a tiny laugh at his nickname for the gunman. He just knew he was going to blow a fuse and prove the nickname correct. Anytime now.

"My name is Lance dammit!" Yelled Lance, getting really, really tired with Stratus constant mocking. Stratus laughed and then looked at Gale.

"So? What you think Gale?" he asked again, not being answered earlier. Gale looked to be thinking hard, and then she answered.

"Yeah, I guess so. I can't really think of anything right now. Need a good nights sleep anyway." Replied Gale, giving up.

----

Well, what you think of the fight scene. If you're wondering the Flame that engulfed Vincent was Flare. If I get more than Three Reviews I will update, that sounds fair to me. I don't like to retort to this but it looks like I'll have too. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I loved writing it.